Following Jesus: Embracing Spiritual Readiness and Obedience
Summary
In this message, I shared a vision that underscores the importance of recognizing and responding to Jesus in our lives. The vision depicted Jesus driving a bus, symbolizing a divine opportunity or calling. The question posed was whether we would abandon our worldly plans and board the bus with Jesus, regardless of where it might lead. This vision challenges us to prioritize our spiritual journey over earthly concerns and to be ready to follow Jesus whenever He calls.
The message emphasized the need for spiritual readiness and the ability to recognize Jesus in our daily lives. Many of us are so entangled in worldly pursuits that we fail to see Jesus when He appears. We are reminded that our spirit should be attuned to God's presence, ready to respond to His call without hesitation. The vision serves as a metaphor for the choices we make daily—whether to follow our own plans or to trust in God's direction.
Furthermore, the message highlighted the importance of obedience and alignment with God's will. True obedience requires us to align our lives with God's purposes, making necessary changes to follow His lead. This alignment is not just about religious rituals but involves a deep, personal commitment to living a life devoted to God.
The call to "wake up" spiritually was a central theme, urging us to shake off complacency and be vigilant in our faith. We are encouraged to put on the strength of Zion, a metaphor for embracing the spiritual power and authority that God offers us. This involves shedding worldly attachments and being seated in heavenly places, symbolizing a life lived in God's presence and under His guidance.
Finally, the message concluded with a reminder of the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. It is through the Spirit that we can experience transformation, healing, and empowerment to fulfill God's purposes. The call is to live a life filled with the Spirit, allowing Him to guide and empower us in all we do.
Key Takeaways:
1. Recognizing Jesus in Our Lives: We must be spiritually attuned to recognize Jesus when He appears in our lives, even if it means abandoning our plans to follow Him. This requires a readiness to prioritize our spiritual journey over worldly concerns. [06:37]
2. Obedience and Alignment: True obedience to God involves aligning our lives with His will, which may require significant changes. This alignment is not about religious rituals but a deep commitment to living a life devoted to God. [17:24]
3. Spiritual Awakening: We are called to "wake up" spiritually, shaking off complacency and being vigilant in our faith. This involves embracing the strength of Zion and being seated in heavenly places, symbolizing a life lived in God's presence. [41:16]
4. The Power of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is essential for transformation, healing, and empowerment in our lives. Living a Spirit-filled life allows us to experience God's power and fulfill His purposes. [04:39]
5. Living with Eternal Perspective: Our earthly pursuits should not overshadow our spiritual readiness. We are reminded that our confidence in tomorrow is a gift from God, and we should live with an eternal perspective, ready to respond to His call. [09:15]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Missions
- [00:45] - Vision of Jesus Driving the Bus
- [02:25] - Recognizing Jesus
- [03:36] - The Bus Stop Metaphor
- [05:29] - Choosing to Follow Jesus
- [07:26] - Spiritual Readiness
- [09:00] - The Gift of Tomorrow
- [10:22] - Seeking God
- [11:43] - The Call to Obedience
- [13:22] - Time with God
- [15:31] - Unity and Alignment
- [17:56] - The Challenge of Unity
- [22:37] - Devotion to God
- [30:02] - Signs and Relationship with God
- [41:16] - Awakening and Strength of Zion
- [57:15] - Seated in Heavenly Places
- [01:02:28] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 17:1-5
2. Zechariah 4:1
3. Isaiah 52:1-2
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Observation Questions:
1. In the vision shared during the sermon, what was the significance of Jesus driving the bus, and how did it challenge the speaker's plans? [05:29]
2. How did the disciples recognize Moses and Elijah during the transfiguration, according to the sermon? [02:45]
3. What does the speaker suggest is necessary for true obedience to God, as mentioned in the sermon? [17:24]
4. What metaphor does the speaker use to describe the spiritual awakening and strength that believers are encouraged to embrace? [41:16]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the vision of Jesus driving the bus serve as a metaphor for the choices we make in our spiritual journey? What does it mean to "board the bus" with Jesus? [06:37]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that worldly concerns can prevent us from recognizing Jesus in our lives? How can this be addressed? [07:26]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of spiritual readiness. How does this concept relate to the idea of being "seated in heavenly places"? [57:15]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers to fulfill God's purposes? [01:02:28]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt a divine opportunity was presented to you. Did you "board the bus" with Jesus, or did you hesitate? What influenced your decision? [06:37]
2. Identify one worldly concern that often distracts you from recognizing Jesus in your daily life. What practical steps can you take to minimize this distraction? [07:26]
3. The sermon calls for a spiritual awakening. What specific actions can you take this week to "wake up" spiritually and embrace the strength of Zion? [41:16]
4. Consider your current level of obedience and alignment with God's will. Are there areas in your life that require significant changes to align more closely with His purposes? [17:24]
5. How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit to experience transformation and empowerment in your life? What practices can you incorporate into your daily routine? [01:02:28]
6. The sermon mentions living with an eternal perspective. How can you shift your focus from earthly pursuits to spiritual readiness in your daily life? [09:15]
7. Think of a person in your life who may not recognize Jesus' presence. How can you be a witness to them, helping them to see and respond to Jesus' call? [06:53]
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing Jesus in Our Daily Lives
In our fast-paced world, it's easy to become so engrossed in our daily routines and worldly pursuits that we miss the presence of Jesus in our lives. The vision of Jesus driving a bus serves as a powerful metaphor for divine opportunities and callings that may come our way. Are we prepared to abandon our plans and board the bus with Jesus, even if it means venturing into the unknown? This requires a spiritual readiness and a willingness to prioritize our spiritual journey over earthly concerns. By attuning our spirit to God's presence, we can recognize Jesus when He appears and respond to His call without hesitation. [06:37]
Luke 24:31-32 (ESV): "And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, 'Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?'"
Reflection: Think of a recent moment when you felt a nudge or calling that you might have ignored. How can you be more attentive to recognizing Jesus in your daily life today?
Day 2: Aligning Our Lives with God's Will
True obedience to God involves more than just following religious rituals; it requires a deep, personal commitment to aligning our lives with His will. This alignment may necessitate significant changes in our priorities and lifestyle. By seeking God's direction and making necessary adjustments, we can live a life devoted to His purposes. This process of alignment is a journey of faith, where we trust in God's plan and allow Him to lead us. [17:24]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you feel out of alignment with God's will. What steps can you take today to begin realigning this area with His purposes?
Day 3: Awakening to Spiritual Vigilance
The call to "wake up" spiritually is a reminder to shake off complacency and be vigilant in our faith. Embracing the strength of Zion involves shedding worldly attachments and living a life seated in heavenly places, symbolizing a life lived in God's presence. This spiritual awakening empowers us to embrace the spiritual power and authority that God offers, enabling us to live with purpose and intentionality. By being spiritually awake, we can better discern God's voice and respond to His call. [41:16]
Ephesians 5:14-16 (ESV): "For anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, 'Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.' Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."
Reflection: Reflect on a habit or mindset that has led to spiritual complacency in your life. How can you actively work to awaken and strengthen your faith today?
Day 4: Embracing the Power of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in our spiritual journey, offering transformation, healing, and empowerment to fulfill God's purposes. Living a Spirit-filled life allows us to experience God's power in all we do, guiding us and equipping us for the tasks He sets before us. By inviting the Holy Spirit into our lives, we open ourselves to His transformative work, enabling us to live with greater purpose and impact. [04:39]
Acts 1:8 (ESV): "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you need the Holy Spirit's guidance and empowerment. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to work in this area today?
Day 5: Living with an Eternal Perspective
Our earthly pursuits should not overshadow our spiritual readiness. Living with an eternal perspective means recognizing that our confidence in tomorrow is a gift from God and being ready to respond to His call at any moment. By focusing on eternal values, we can prioritize our spiritual journey and live with a sense of purpose and direction. This perspective encourages us to trust in God's plan and remain open to His leading, even when it challenges our earthly ambitions. [09:15]
Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent decision or goal that was driven by earthly concerns. How can you shift your focus to align with an eternal perspective today?
Quotes
The vision that I saw is that we are waiting in a bus stop to take a bus. Now you may be taking your own number in Singapore buses are everywhere. Praise God for that. So it's 135, 213, and whatever else. You have a number, and you and I are going somewhere. [00:03:43]
Suddenly, I saw Jesus driving a bus coming towards me, and I'm wondering, I know this looks like Jesus, and he must be Jesus. There's no other way. A glorious person with that glorious hair glowing all over driving this bus. Let's assume it's number seven. That's a perfect number. [00:04:27]
The question is, what will you do at that moment when you see number seven coming by and Jesus is driving the bus? What will you do? See, that's the question he was asking me. Would you give up wherever you're going? I don't know why he's coming. I don't care whether this bus is going to go. [00:05:36]
If I can recognize Jesus, and if he is at the spot of my life where I'm praying and he shows up, I'm supposed to board the bus. It doesn't matter where he's going. Are you following? Yes, but the Lord Jesus told me many still cannot recognize me. [00:06:28]
We cannot recognize the face of Jesus. We cannot recognize the timing of God if we are so worldly minded to be left behind. The question is, is your spirit man even ready to be with the Father's house? If you are not ready, we can always be ready for another time. [00:07:37]
The fact that you have a dream, the fact that you have a plan for lunch, the fact that you want to buy a house, you want to buy a car, the fact that you have a dream that our children must grow and you have an imagination of what they will become, it's the mercy of God. [00:09:00]
Obedience will not happen without alignment. If you don't align your life towards God's will, you will not be able to obey. Please don't think obedience is some magic. Every time God tells you to obey, it requires you to align, make decisions, make changes that will bring you to a position of saying yes. [00:17:19]
The first word Unity is an intention, but in order for that unity and that intention to come to pass, it requires a lot of changes, especially if we come from different churches and different families. Just look at ASEAN, for example. We have a group of countries, Southeast Asia, Asia Pacific. [00:18:16]
Awake, awake, put on your strength, oh Zion. I want you to understand the word Zion has strength inside. The word Zion has an advanced level of spiritual warfare anointing. The word Zion has a grace attached to it. The word Zion has an overcoming victory that you are seeking for. [00:41:16]
The greatest sign, you know, when I'm sitting with my wife, when I'm sitting beside her, if I want to call her, of course, there's so many ways I can call her, tap, but sometimes I just blow. You just turn and look at me. The Bible says God whispers to his children. [00:50:08]
Every worship must be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. Every prayer prayed in a church must be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. If we just want to be another ordinary church, we can, not a problem. But if you want to put on the Lord, put on your strength. [01:02:28]
The Bible says the book of Acts 10:38, Jesus went about doing good, healing those and casting out demons all through the power of the Holy Spirit. So you want to be healed, you want to cast out demons in your life, you need the power of the Holy Spirit. [01:04:46]
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